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Kurds in Vienna are expected to hold a demonstration on Friday evening in a show of solidarity for Syrian Kurds who are fighting the Islamic terror group Isis in the Turkish-Syrian border town of Kobane.

Many Kurds accuse Turkey of supporting the Muslim extremist fighters against the Kurds, whose independence movement the Turkish government has long resisted.

Police confirmed that around 2,000 people are expected to gather on Europaplatz in front of Westbahnhof from 5pm.

At 6pm they will march down the Mariahilfer Strasse and the Ringstrasse, past the parliament to Ballhausplatz. The rally is planned to finish at 9pm.

Police spokesman Patrick Maierhofer said they are expecting it to be a peaceful demonstration but are “prepared for all eventualities”.

He added that police would have “sufficient manpower” to accompany the demonstration and their top priority would be to keep participants safe and to prevent any disruption.